Mr. Chairman, I met with the Department of Municipal and Communities Affairs last month and we went through the needs of Kakisa. One of the things that the department said that they plan on doing is that the infrastructure has gone just about full cycle now and most of their concentration is going to be on smaller communities. I was really happy to hear that, Mr. Speaker.
We also discussed the assembly building that is going to be built in Kakisa and they showed us the plan for it. In the plan it allows for a large enough space for a feast or even a place where you could gather for a dance, small activities but not activities like basketball. The building is not designed for that kind of activity but it is designed for at least the kind of activities that small communities would be able to do. Further, the department has also advised us that the building itself does not restrict them from further allocation to include maybe other recreational facilities in the future.
Last month, too, I participated in the Standing Committee on Finance, as an alternate Member. The standing committee has also accepted the principle that every community, regardless of size, should be entitled to facilities that facilitate the mental, spiritual and physical well-being of the community. I think that has been an acceptable principle that the finance committee has gone with.
The other thing, Mr. Chairman, is that I have heard the government say we are going to be in a very touchy situation and in touchy times so as far as community plans go. I have here the community plan for Fort Providence and a lot of the plans are designed for new subdivisions, new roads, new drainage, new power lines, new everything. When I was at that public meeting several months ago, in May, I asked the community why is it that the plan asks for people to move further out into the bush, into the swampy areas where maybe more mosquitos are. It will cost more to build. I said we have a lot of good areas that the government owns, or has such as transportation and telecommunication. The R.C.M.P. have areas which are designated as commercial areas right now but are used as residential or commercial. I have asked that we look at future developments to new subdivisions, but that the community looks seriously at developing new lots and existing government lots. Transportation could be relocated for example. I think if we have laws and regulations with regards to residential and commercial areas then we do not have to force, for example, NorthwesTel from moving. The laws would require them to move if those are designated residential areas. So I just want to let the government know that we do not have a final plan for the community of Fort Providence, but I have been speaking with the hamlet manager about the plans and the situation of this government right now. I do not think we can afford to start pouring a lot of money to areas which require a lot of fill or drainage. Perhaps the hamlet should be looking more at existing areas that have road access. The road access is right across from the R.C.M.P. to the junction. Those are good residential areas. It might be parallel to the airport but it is on the opposite side of the road. I would prefer it if the government would look at that type of thing. That is more cost effective as opposed to, I agree with the community "wish list", but the reality right now is that wish list is good maybe down the line if the budget allows for it, but right now we have to be more of an economist. I think the community should look into that area so we do not run into a situation where we are creating or using up a lot of money for lot development when we should look at existing spaces along the public roads we have in the community as well as the access roads. Those are my general comments. I support my colleagues for North Slave and Nahendeh with regard to smaller communities. I only have one and I think they are quite happy with the progress with regard to allocation of capital projects. So I just wanted to tell the department I appreciate what they are doing.